This has probably been asked before but... Utility costs (Tucson: flat fee, appliances)

[bigdogmom13]

Tucson is on my short list for retirement. I'm trying to get a handle on what utilities will cost; I know there's a ton of factors involved but would love a ballpark estimate on electricity costs for a 1-story SFH, 1500-1800sf. I looked on TEP's website but it's hard for me to compare to what I use now because I don't have A/C here in Colorado. How much more electricity do you use in the summer compared to the winter months?






Also, I was interested in their TOU or peak demand plans. Anyone here use either one? How difficult is it to stay within the low usage range?


Thanks for any info you can provide!

[PartIrish]

If your future home in Tucson is well-insulated, utility bills should be reasonable with the exception of water in the summer months and electricity for AC from June through October. Our house is large--3100 sq. ft--but well insulated, and we pay upwards of $200 - $250/month for electricity during the hot months. Last year our electric for the entire year was $1600. Our annual water bill is ~$1000. Gas bill was about $600 for the year. Our property is mostly xeriscaped (meaning plants meant to thrive on less water and suited to the environment). You can adjust all of that downward for a house that is half the size.

[bigdogmom13]

Great info, Irish; thank you! I currently pay (drumroll, please!) about $120/month for electricity plus gas so hopefully the bills in Tucson won't be too much of a shocker.


My water bill here in Colorado is close to yours, but I'm watering a huge lawn for 5 months of the year.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by bigdogmom13

Tucson is on my short list for retirement. I'm trying to get a handle on what utilities will cost; I know there's a ton of factors involved but would love a ballpark estimate on electricity costs for a 1-story SFH, 1500-1800sf. I looked on TEP's website but it's hard for me to compare to what I use now because I don't have A/C here in Colorado. How much more electricity do you use in the summer compared to the winter months?

Also, I was interested in their TOU or peak demand plans. Anyone here use either one? How difficult is it to stay within the low usage range?

We are spending $50 per month on average with June-September being the peak months and roughly 2x the winter months. We live in a 1000 square foot slump block house with a northeast exposure. We also live at an elevation of 3000 feet which does make it a little easier.

We do the following to keep it that low:

1) We installed wooden blinds that provide some insulation during the winter months and provide a strong sunblock to our eastern exposure. This may seem insignificant BUT it has cooled the temperature in some rooms 10-15 degrees.

2) We open all windows at desk to capture the cooler air. This allows the house to cool down in the evening to often as low as 70F.

3) At dawn, we make sure that the eastern facing blinds are closed to keep the rooms from heating up.

4) We keep room ceiling fans on all summer long to keep air moving.

5) We do NOT run the air conditioner on most days. When we do, it is on from 10 am - 5 pm.

6) We line dry at least 75% of our laundry. It is amazing how quickly things dry in this area. The ONLY months where this becomes impossible is December and January.

I will admit that our appliances and our HVAC system are inefficient. Our HVAC was installed in 1982 but we do service it several times a year (change filters, clean the system, etc.). Most of our appliances are 25-30 although we replaced our refrigerator with an 8 year old model last year. With the electric bills running as they do, we cannot justify buying new appliances or replacing the HVAC until they die.

Some of our neighbors complain that our electrical costs are easily twice ours. However, when we walk through what we do each day to minimize them they tell us it is "too much work."

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Since I have my spreadsheet out, we spend $35/ month on natural gas (natural gas prices are about 2x what we encountered in Illinois thanks to Warren Buffett), $28 a month on water and $21 on sewer.

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We are also on the TOU plan so we try to keep our cooking, laundry, etc. (use of large appliances) during non-peak times.

[PartIrish]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

6) We line dry at least 75% of our laundry. It is amazing how quickly things dry in this area. The ONLY months where this becomes impossible is December and January.

Nothing will make clothes smell as good as drying them outdoors in the AZ sun!

[bigdogmom13]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

4
Since I have my spreadsheet out, we spend $35/ month on natural gas (natural gas prices are about 2x what we encountered in Illinois thanks to Warren Buffett), $28 a month on water and $21 on sewer.

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We are also on the TOU plan so we try to keep our cooking, laundry, etc. (use of large appliances) during non-peak times.

Sewer is separate from water?


So that TOU plan... I like the idea of using it during the summer months, but how difficult is it during the winter? 7-10 AM and PM - How do you cook dinner? Can you still watch TV (I have no idea how much electricity these newer smartTV's use)? What about the computer?

Here in Colorado, without A/C, I also close all my blinds during the day in the summer to keep the heat out. After the sun goes down, I have a whole house fan that cools things down considerably; I don't even have to keep it on all night. We don't get as hot as Tucson, but usually have a few weeks of high 90's or even low 100's ever year. (I also have a finished basement, which is a godsend on those very hot days ) I've managed in this house for 28 years without A/C.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by bigdogmom13

Sewer is separate from water?


So that TOU plan... I like the idea of using it during the summer months, but how difficult is it during the winter? 7-10 AM and PM - How do you cook dinner? Can you still watch TV (I have no idea how much electricity these newer smartTV's use)? What about the computer?

Here in Colorado, without A/C, I also close all my blinds during the day in the summer to keep the heat out. After the sun goes down, I have a whole house fan that cools things down considerably; I don't even have to keep it on all night. We don't get as hot as Tucson, but usually have a few weeks of high 90's or even low 100's ever year. (I also have a finished basement, which is a godsend on those very hot days ) I've managed in this house for 28 years without A/C.

In Tucson proper, both bills are paid together. In unincorporated Pima Co., there is a separate water bill from the water company and the sewer is billed by the City of Tucson.

As for the TOU,I continue to live my life. I try to do laundry on the weekends and outside of the "high cost" hours. If I need to cook dinner, I cook dinner. I don't turn off the computer. The goal is to use 75% of my energy during low cost periods.

I cannot help you on TV as we don't have one.

[bigdogmom13]

Thank you for the info; very helpful!

We have a TV but no cable/dish; just antenna and streaming Netflix and Hulu. Works for us.

[TimAZ]

Retired couple living in Tucson for about two years, 2300 SF house built in 2006, averages:
Electric: $95/mo
Nat Gas: $32/mo (gas furnace, DHW, & dryer)
Water: $15/mo
Sewer: $36/mo (unmetered flat fee)
Coax Internet: $60/mo

When we moved in, we converted all lighting to LED and that saves about 200 kWh/mo on our electric usage.

[bigdogmom13]

Originally Posted by TimAZ

Retired couple living in Tucson for about two years, 2300 SF house built in 2006, averages:
Electric: $95/mo
Nat Gas: $32/mo (gas furnace, DHW, & dryer)
Water: $15/mo
Sewer: $36/mo (unmetered flat fee)
Coax Internet: $60/mo

When we moved in, we converted all lighting to LED and that saves about 200 kWh/mo on our electric usage.

Thanks, Tim. I still don't know how you guys have such low electric bills but kudos to you!